17 June, 2024 | Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 Reading1: 1 Kgs 21:1-16

 

Gospel Mt 5:38-42

Jesus said to his disciples:

"You have heard that it was said,

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.

When someone strikes you on your right cheek,

turn the other one to him as well.

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

hand him your cloak as well.

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

go with him for two miles.

Give to the one who asks of you,

and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."

Reflection:  

Jesus says that we must offer no resistance to the one who is evil.  By this he recommends that we do not lose our self-control to evil.  He states that we must instead leave it to God to respond with us to the situation.   

On the other hand, the Lord encourages us to be generous.  He asks us to be magnanimous when it comes to serving someone or when offering our help.  The crux is to reach-out to those in need, thereby overcoming evil with good.

Activity: 

Overcome the tendency to retaliate against those destructive against you, in at least one instance today. But respond by praying for them and controlling your own urge to be destructive.